Seat for vehicles such as aircraft



May 12, 1953 G. K. JONES 2,638,151

SEAT FOR VEHICLES SUCH AS AIRCRAFT Filed April 17, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l www May 12, 1953 G. K. JONES 2,638,151

` SEAT FOR VEHICLES SUCH AS AIRCRAFT Filed April 17, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 420" "IL Z4) '4,' 96 sa az [NVE/VIDE GORDO/v MJD/ V55 ATTafA/E Y?" May 12, 1953 G. K. .loNEs` SEAT FOR VEHICLES SUCH AS AIRCRAFT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 17, 1950 INVENTOR. I CoeDo/v /JOn/ES ,s -BY A Tram/5K5 f May 12, 1953 G. K. JONES SEAT FOR VEHICLES SUCH AS AIRCRAFT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 17, 1950 INVENTOR. gozan/v 7. JO/vf M @dw/52% #A1-roem: YJ-

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE SEAT FOR VEHICLES SUCH AS AIRCRAFT Gordon Karl Jones, Tujunga, Calif.

Application April 17, 1950, Serial No. 158,471

Claims.

This invention relates to vehicle seats. It is iartcularly directed to light weight vehicle seats adaptable for use in aircraft. An object of the invention is to provide a seat embodying a frame `structure having `greater strengthper unit of Weight than is provided in any prior seat structure. As to this feature, the invention is parfticularly directed to an improved forward leg structure of Y design.

Another object is to provide, in a vehicle seat, an improved combination arm rest and reclining mechanism which affords smoother and safer action as well as mechanical simplicity. A particular` object is to provide an improved reclining mechanism which is incorporated directly in an arm rest. Specifically, the invention contemplates a'reclining mechanism includingV resilient means for yieldingly urging the seat back forwardly, latching mechanism to hold the seat back in any selected reclining position, and telescoping guide means on which the latching mechanismis carried, all enclosed within an arm rest. A further object is to provide a vehicle seat having an arm rest including a frame structure in the form of a. shell which serves the added function of providing a casing for reclining mechanism. Another object is to provide an im` proved arrangement of ash tray in a vehicle seat arm rest.

A further object is to `provide an improved means for attaching a third seat to a pair of seats constructed in unit formation, whereby to provide, in -a passenger aircraft cabin, an extra row of aisle seats in cases where it is desired to increase the total number of seats above the normal. A further object is to provide quickly operable means for attaching and detaching such extra seats.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for 4attaching standard double seats to an aircraft cabin fuselage and for disassembling them for storing in cases where an aircraft is to be used for the conveyance of freight instead of passengers.

Other objects will become apparent in the ensuing specications and appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the frame structure of a three seat assembly embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the outer, or wallseat thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the outer, or wall seat of the assembly;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken as indicated generally by the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; l

Fig. 9 is a plan View of one of the combination `reclining mechanism and arm rest units with a portion of the arm rest shell broken away and shown in section to better illustrate the internal mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view thereof taken on the line IIJ- l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. ll is a vertical longitudinal `sectional viewthereof taken yon the line l I-l I of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a rear end View of the same;-

Fig. 13 is a front end View of the same;

Fig. 14 is a vertical transverse sectional view of on the the same taken on the line lll-Hl of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a front view of a seat embodying a modied form of the invention, the seat being shown by broken lines in a stored position;

Fig. 16 is an end View of the seat of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a plan View of one corner of the seat of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 18 is a detail sectional line I8-l8 of Fig. 15.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, I have shown in Fig. 1 a double seat unit A and., attached thereto, an auxiliary seat B, both embody `ing the features of my invention; The double seat unit A includes an `aisle seat A Which, when auxiliary seat B is attached, becomes an intermediate seat, and a wall seat A". The three seats are supported respectively upon leg units C, C', C", and are provided with arm rests D, D', and D". Arm rest D and leg O" are left hand units and arm rests D and D and legs C, `C' are right hand units respectively. Aside from this leftand right-hand relationship, the arm rest and leg units are substantially identical.

Double seat unit A embodies a seat bottom frame E and auxiliary seat B embodies a seat `bottom frame E. Each of the three seats `includes a back frame, indicated generally by the View taken on the reference character F. The arm rests D, D. D"

are supported respectively upon side frames G, G and G". The back frames F are pivctally connected at their lower ends to side frames G, G' and G".

Leg structure The leg structure is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each of the leg units C, C', C includes a vertical rear leg I6 and a Y-shaped forward leg having a forward arm I7, a rea-r arm I3 and a short vertical foot member IS. Each of the parts I5, I'I, I 8, I9 are of light weight, high strength constru tion preferably of metal tube section, welded together tojoin the lower ends of arms il and I8 to the upper end of foot member IS. The rear ends of arms I and the upper ends of legs I are each welded tow-a transverse horizontaiframe bar constituting the lrear vmember of a .seat bottom frame. In the double seat bottom frame E', this bar is a bar 2t extending the Width of the double seat, and for the single seat bottom E, it is a short bar 20. The upper ends of arms vIl?! :are-welded to corresponding forward transverse bars 2 I, .2 I' of the respective seat frames, whereby each pair of arms Il, lt forms, together with :a corresponding sea-t frame, a closed triangular structure.

The lower ends of foot members I9 and rear legs I6 are provided with threaded stud fittings T22 adapted to be threaded into frame members of the floor of a vehicle and to subsequently 'be connected to the respective members I6, .i9 by means of bolts 23 passed therethrough. The

v-upper portions-'of :said members "22 fit-within Ithe lower portions of legs I6, I9.

Arms t8 `:bear :a small .portion of the vertical load but function primarily as bracing members, resisting the fore and aft loads set up by acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle andthe opl posing inertia of Athe 'bodies oi persons .seated in the seats, and the heavier fore and .aft loads :set up in the event of a crash. I find that my .improved seat structure is considerably more 4resistant to being torn loose 'from its anchorage to the floor of the vehicle "in the event oi .a :crash than is true -of-ooriventional seats, and yet the weight of :the 'leg structure 4is lmaterially reduced as compared to-convent'ionalseats. `The arms IE att-ain their greatest horizontal load 'bearing capacity in resisting loads :acting forwardly against the seat. Arms il are Vprimarily vertical load .carrying arms. Arms Il, by their rear-ward and downward inclination, vfunction fsecondarily to resist loads acting-rearwardly against the seat, as du-ring vacceleration of an aircraft in 'the-takeolf stage. Such loads cannot attain the magnitudes of crashflcads, and thus the inclination from the vertical may be much less than vi-n the braces i8. The 1I? derive their primary function as vertical 'load bearing members from the fact that their angle of vinclination vrelative to the floor llevel approaches more nearly the vertical than the horizontal `(nearly 69 degrees),

while the arms 4:3 `provide their primary function as fore and aft 'load bearing braces from 'the'fact that their angle of inclination relative to the floor level approaches more nearly to the horizontal than to the vertical being, in fact, in the neighborhood of approximately 30 degrees.

important characteristic of the invention, in the attainment of minimum weight combined with maximum strength in the 'leg structure, is the `utilization of but a single leg unit for each seat. The double seat unit A ,is adequately baldouble frame A' to the outer extremities thereof. Correspondingly, leg unit C of the auxiliary seat B is located outwardly of the midpoint between the sides of frame E, with optimum results being secured by locating it between and 1/2 of the distance from that side of seat B which joins seat B to the aisle side of the seat unit A. It may now be noted that with the auxiliary seat B joined to the double seat A, the legs C, C", C are spaced :approximately equal distances apart, whereby the load of the three seats is equalized over the three legs, and that when the auxiliary seat B is detached from double unit A, the load of the two seats zisiequalized .over leg units C', C.

.Seat bottom and back frame structure The' seat bottom and back frame structures are shown in Figs. 1-8. Seat bottom frames E and E include the transverse bars 2li, 2t', 2l, 2 I together with fore-aft side frame members 2t, the respective ends ,of which are welded to the ends ofthe transverse'bars 2B, 2t', 2l, ZI to 5de- -ne the corners Aoi therespective frames. .1n the case of double seat frame E', an intermediate fore-aft frame member 24 is welded to 'intermediate parts of transverse members 2922i', to divide the frame E into two individual seatirames. Each of the three seat frames is provided with a cushion supporting seat bottom` web 2"., `which may be 'of ape-rtured sheet metal as shown in Fig. 3, suspended upon three stra-ps it carried by transverse frame members 2t, 2l, Z, 2i. The respective ends of straps 26 are bolted to vloops 2i which Vare looped around the respective transverse frame members 2.0, 20', 2i, 2l". Mounted on bottom VAwebs 25 are cushions 28 (Fig. 2)

Side fra-me members G, G', G each includesu general J -shaped lower member including ahori1 zontal bar '29 and an upwardly and forwardly inclined post v'30, the parts 29 and 3i) being formed by bending from a single length of tubing. Each of these yside frames also includes an upper section consisting in a horizontal bar 3i 'welded at 'its forward end to a respective post 3Q, and a downwardly extending post 32, welded at its lower end to the rear end of bar 29, members BI and 32 vbeing formed by bending from Va single length of tubing.

One of the important features of my invention is rthe use of sleeves and tubular bosses to provide quickly detachable connections lbetween side frames G, G', G" and seat bottom frames E, E. These connections include coupling sleeves 33, 33" and 34, 3'4 `each (Fig. 5') having one end portion passed `through registering openings in `a respective lower horizontal bar 29 of a respective side frame G, G .or G, and welded thereto, and having an opposite end portion telescoped into a tubular 'boss 35, mounted in a fore-aft member 24 `of Ya respective seat frame E or E. Coupling `sleeves 33 and '31% `are just long enough to extend through members 2li and 29, while coupling sleeves -33 and 34 are somewhat longer, extending from seat frame El, through side frame G, and partially into seat frame E. Coupling sleeves A33 vand '34 are detachably received in tubular bosses 35 in member 29 of side frame G, and vare secured by bolts 3E passed downwardly through iframe .members v2li, bosses 35 and vthese sleeves.. Coupling vsleeves 33" and 34 are detachably received in tubular bosses 35 which are welded `into member 29 of side vframe -G' and project therefrom into tubular bosses 3.5. liubular bosses 3.5" are yweldedintomember 24 of seat frame E. .Sleeves 33', 'Sli'. `and 35" aresecured by bolts `36 passed downwardly through frame members 24 of seat frame E, through bosses 35" and through the sleeves 33 and 34' respectively. Bosses 35, 35', and 35" are mounted in registering openings in opposite side walls of frame members 24 and are welded thereto as indicated. Spacer collars 100 are interposed between seat frame E' and side frame G' on sleeves 33', 34', to maintain proper spacing of these frames. It may now be noted that by removing bolts 36, it is possible to detach side frames G and G' from seat frames E and E' respectively, and to detach seat'frame E from side frame G. In removing a single seat, side frame G is left in place and bolts 36 are reinserted through bosses 35" and 35' to again secure side frame G' to seat frame E' (see Fig. 6). l

Seat back frames F are identical, each cornprising a pair of spaced parallel upright members 31, a top bar 38 welded to the upperends of members 31, and a bottom bar 39 to which the lower ends of members 31 are weldedmvith the ends of bar 39 open.

Hinged connections between the lower ends of seat frames F and side frames G, G', and G" are provided by tubular trunnions 40, 40" and40' and an adapter 4l. Trunnions 40 (Fig. 5) are each mounted at one end in a respective side frame G, G and project inwardly so as to have their other ends received within the open ends of tubular bottom bar 33 of the seats A and B. Trunnions 40 are mounted in registering openings in the respective side walls of the rear posts 32 of frames G, G", and are welded thereto. Trunnion 40" (Fig. 3) is welded to the upper end of an auxiliary post 32" thelower end of which is secured to seat frame A' at the junction between longitudinal member 24' and rear transverse member 2U'. Trunnion 40" is a double trunnion, having end portions projecting in both directions from post 32" and received in the adjacent ends of bottom bars 33 of the two seat back of double seat unit A.

The hinge trunnion 40 (Fig. 4), by means of which the back of seat A' is hinged to side frame G', is welded in frame G' the same as the mounting of trunnion 4B in side frame G. When the auxiliary aisle seat B is attached, Aadapter 4I is used to provide a hinged connection between the back-of seat B and frame F'. Adapter 4| embodies a thick walled tubular part 4ta, which provides a trunnion, receivable in the end of member 39 of the auxiliary seat back, an enlarged central spacer collar 4|b to bridge the space between the auxiliaryseat back and the side frame G. and a reduced nipple :lic which is receivable snugly within tubular trunnion 40.

Post 32" is braced by a gusset 95 (Fig. 7) of inverted channel section, the arms of which embrace and are welded to post 32" and seat frame member 24 respectively.

Safety belt fittings '85 are pivotally attached to the respective sides of each seat frame, those between seats A" and A' being mounted (Fig. 8) on flanged adapter collars 91 which in turn are mounted on a bolt 98 extending through the respective side arms of gusset 95. The remaining fittings 9E are mounted on respective coupling sleeves 34 between frame `members 24 and 29 (Fig. 5).

Any suitable webbing such as for example, the perforated sheet metal webbing the the seat bottoms 25, may be attached to the respective seat back frames `to traverse the space within the peripheries thereof, and suitable cushions 42 (Fig.

`side frames G, G', G" to the seat bottom frames E, E', by means of the tubular sleeves 34, 34 received in the tubular bosses in seat bottom frames E, E', secured by bolts 36, serves to hold the entire frame assembly together and that there is no attachment between trunnions 40, 40"` and the seat back frame members 39.

When coupling sleeves 34, 34', 33, 33' are detached from the respective seat bottom frames by the removal of bolts 36, the sleeves and the trunnions 40, 40', 40 may be slipped out of their respective sockets by simply pulling the `side frames G, G', G away `from the seat bottom and back structure. The invention thus provides a very simple and quickly operable means for (a) attaching the side frame members G, G', G" of the double seat unit A to the seat bottom E' thereof and providing hinged connections for the lower ends of the seat back frame of this unit; (b) when a third seat is desired, similarly attaching the` third seat to the double seat unit and providing a hinged connection for the third seat.Y

Arm rest and reclining mechanism The arm rest and reclining mechanism' is shown in Figs. 9-14. Each of the arm rests D, D', D" include a shell of formed sheet metal, shaped generally as an inverted channel. Said sliell has inner and outer side walls 45 and 45, connected at their upper extremities by a'generally horizontal web 41. Side walls 45, 46 'project forwardly beyond the forward extremity of web 41, providing a space over which is mounteda forward end cap 48. End cap 48 includes a forward:

wall portion 49 having at the respective side extremities thereof, flanges 5U, 50', 50" which arey rubber or equivalent material, is adhesively secured to the upper face of web `41 with its forward end abutting against shoulder 54. The arm rest may be nished with a suitable fabric covering extending over cushion 58, over end cap 48 and down around side walls 45, 46, with a suit-A able aperture to receive ash tray 51.

The lower side of the arm rest is open to receive the corresponding side frame member'G, G', or G". rI'he rear end of the shell is provided with a bracket 59 of yoke shape, the web thereof being secured as by rivets to the under side of web 41 and the downwardly projecting side arms thereof being apertured to receive a pair of trunnion members constituting the respective end portions of a sleeve Bi that is welded to one end of a guide tube v62 forming part of the recliningmechanism. Journalled in sleeve 6l is one end of a pivot pin |53 the other end of which is mounted in and welded to an upright frame niem-` Top member 52 is apertured to receive an assalti rlp a ber-8:1 yof' a `cori-.espendingseat back frame F. Thus -:both .the .arm rest shell and .the guide tube Stare pivoted, upon a common pivot, to the seat back frame.

4The end of Iguidetube 2 .opposite trunnion Si is .open and receives a `companion guide tube 64 which is vtelescoped therein for sliding movement. The open 'end of guide tube 62 is attached to the intermediate portion of a seat rest shell .by bracket means :comprising a pair of ears 65 the lower l.ends .of which are welded to the respective sides .of the tube .t2 and the upper ends of which are connectedfby a :sleeve pin 66 welded Vthereto .atlits respective ends. A bracket '6l' of elongated, inverted .channel form is secured as by means of rivets 8 to web di. Bracket 6'! has depending side portions including relatively narrow flanges Stand, at `one end thereof, arms 'Hl projecting below nanges 63 and including forwardly projectingiingers il which, with ilanges et, denne i nol'fches` 72. Sleeve Slt Vis engaged in notches '12, whereby to .support the forward end of guide tube 62 in spaced relation to web lll'. With 'the rear 'endo-f guide tube 152 attached to yoke 5'9, pin fll is! securely `held in notches l2, with fingers 'H supporting the forward end of tube 62. This arrangement provides an 4easily assembled and disassembled means for suspending the tube 62 inside the shell, fthe .detachment of the rear end of the tube :62 from pivot yoke b9 making it possible `.to :shift the tube forwardly until sleeve 5E slipslout .of notches 12.

The forward end of tubular shaft et is provided with a bushing 13 passed transversely therethrough and .welded in place. .A clevis bolt Mr, ex-

tended` through .bushing *i3 and through a pair of vlaterali-5,1.spaced fears 71.5 4secured to and projecting upwardly `Ifrom theupper member 3l of a respectiyeside frame, provides .a pivotal connection between the forwardlend of shaft et .and the side 14 fra-me. vBushing 'E3 is received between the ears T5. Clevis bolt 'Ui has one end projecting beyond the adjacent ear 75. Adjacent the last mentioned ear :there is rotatably mounted upon bolt lli a anged roller 16. An operating lever 'H has its mid-portion embraced by lthe vanges of roller '1.6, hasitsrear end pivoted on a trunnion 'la projecting llater-ally from the midportion of guide rtube 62 and has .its forward end projecting from the forward end .of the shell through ya slot 19 in the .lower extremity of wall portion :le .of end cap B. 'The forward end of lever 'Il is provided with a handle im. In the lower side of lever Ti, in the midportion thereof, is a wide shallow notch 8l,

the bottom of which is indented lwith a series .of f

snacednotches 32 of a proper diameter to receive the central body portion of roller 'IIB. The ends of notch SI are defined by shoulders 83, of sumcient depth to avoid being cleared by roller 7,6 when lever 1.? has been raised to its upper limit of movement. This upper limit of movement is determined by the engagement of the forward .end .of the lever against Wall t9 at the upper extremity of notch 19. A spring 85 urges lever 'l1 downwardly. The lower end of spring 85 is piloted on a -teat defined between two spaced notches .86 vin the upper edge of lever 'VL The upper renel of `spring B5 is piloted on apin 81 which is secured-to web 41 by a screw 81.

It may benoted lthat with roller 'FB engaged in one of the notches 8.2, the seat back will belocked against movement relative tothe side frames. By raising the lever Tl until the roller 'it clears 'the not-ches A182, it becomes possible for the seat back 'tube adjusted. The .seat back is urged forwardly bye. coil-spring the respectiveends of which are hooked 'into short links TES, Bil. -Link .89 has aperture which receives .va-pin .91 :anchored in and projecting from :guide tube 52 rearwardly of .boss i3, and is secured-thereon 'by :a 'cotter pin .92 passed through the end of pin YLink `S0 has asimilar opening receiving the outer end of clevis bolt i4, link 90 being properly spaced from roller iii by means Vof a collar .93 interposed Ibetween 'link 90 and roller '76.

In the operation ofthe reclining mechanism, the occupant of the .seat simply 'lifts the vlever 80 and adjusts his .back to the desired position of inclination. If he wishes the back .to yassume a more upright position, Ihe leans lforwardly, allowing the forward pull of :spring :88 to swing the back forwardly around the hinge piyotsl, etc. The 'forward ymovement .ofthe back will be accompanied 'by a contracting ltelescoping movement of `guide tube t2 upon shaft 64, anda correspondingforward ,movement of lever i7 :relative to roller 16. By allowing the lever Bil-to yield downwardly under spring 1'8", lthe "lever :will loch itself when the roller 16 Ifinds ka :notch 82 to receive it. If the chair occupant desires to move the seat back rearwardly, he simply lifts the lever 'lil and leans against lthe seatback, overcom'inglthe pull of spring 86.

It may now be noted that lin the reclining .operation, the arm rest, the lever Tl and the tube t?. all move in unison with the movement of `the seat back, the arcuate :movement of pivot't as it swings about hinge axis 49, etc., being accom'-v panied by a slight rocking movement'of the 4arm rest andthe telescopi-ng-gu'ide Ymember 62,54. with reference to the side frame. ySuch rocking movement :'is accommodated by 'the pivotal iconnection between the forward end 4of shaft Bt and clevis bolt 1:!5.

'The limits .of reclining :movement are Idete-rmined by the engagement vof shoulders 83 against roller it. Since it is not possible 4to lift the vlever T1 to a sufficient heightto :cause shoulders 83 4to clear lroller 1K5, shoulders 83 will always 4engage roller TG to stop the reclining movement at its respective limits.

The side frames may, if desired, be covered with fabric and padded with cushioning material in order to make the seat more comfortable. Alternatively, Athey may be left uncovered in order to minimize the weight of the seat. The upper bars`L3| of side frames are largely concealed beneath the arm `rest units, being embraced between the side walls y14.5, t9 thereof. The width of the arm rest shell is just sufficient to prov-ide ample Aroom for the telescoping guide assembly 62, 64, the lever Ti andthe spring 38, abreast.

The :pivotal connection 'between the rear `end of lever "I7 and 'boss TIS Vis provided by a bus-hing 9d in the rear end `.of `lever Tl, bushing vlill being simply slipped over trunnion '18. lThe rear end of the lever is restrained against lateral displacement of the bushing 94 from trunnion "I8 by the yielding lateral pressure of spring 38 against the lever, the lateral .spacing of the parts being .such `that the spring lis maintained in .contact with the .side of the lever. 'This simplifies both construction and assembly.

Modified form' In the modied form of theinvention shown in Figs. land .16, the sideframe, arm rest, #hack and reclining mechanisms are thesame as in zthe previously ldescribed form ofthe invention. The leg lstructure is modified for lthepurpose ofv pro- 'vding for the folding of the double seat units against' the side wall of an airplane fuselage in stored or non-use positions, where the airplane is to be used for freight transportation.

Instead of the leg structures previously described; this modified form of the invention utilizes, for each double seat unit, a pair of hinged `leg units which, viewed from` the front as in Fig. 15, are of inverted L-shape, each including ver- .tical legs l| pivoted at |02 to a floor bracket 22a,

and each including horizontal arm's |03 welded to and projecting outwardly from the upper end of verticallegs |0|. Each of the leg units has its vertical legs |0| connected by fore-aft connecting rail |01 and each pair of the horizontal arms |03 is joined by a fore-aft rail |01.

Seat `frame Ea comprises the transverse rail |06, a forward upper transverserail Zla, and a Vrear transverse rail 20a, rails 21a, 20a being connected by fore-aft rails 24a. Lower` forward transverse rail |05 is connected at its respective ends to rails 24a, somewhat rearwardly of forward upper rail 2id, by means of short vertical posts |08. The parts just described are all welded together to provide a seat frame having the transverse rails |03 and 20a lying in substantially a common horizontal plane and the rails 2m, 20a, 2da' defining a frame slanted upwardly and forwardly. Rails |06 and 20a are each provided at their respective ends with pairs of spaced ears |05 projecting downwardly and receiving the outerends of horizontal arms |03 of the leg units, and pivoted thereto by pivots |04. The inner ends of horizontal arms |03, where they are joined to legs |0|, provide heels |09 upon which transverse seat rails |00 and 20a are supported. It may now be noted that since leg units |0| have their respective arms |03 extending in opposite directions, that the engagement of rails |05 and 20a against heels |09 functions to rigidify the assembly so as to prevent any lateral swaying of the seat or any pivotalmovement about pivots |02, |00. However, by removing bolts |04 at the aisle side of the seat, it is possible, by pulling the seat in the aisle direction, to pivot the other leg unit in the aisle direction, from' its position shown in full lines to its position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l5. In the latter position, this leg rest unit will be supported with its legs |0| resting horizontally against the floor of the aircraft and with its arms |03 projecting upw-ardly. Pivots |04 will then be spaced outwardly from the side wall of the fuselage to a sumcient extent to allow the seat to be swung upwardly to its dotted line position in which the depth of the arm rest and side frame is accommodated between leg unit arms |03 and the vertical wall of the fuselage. Thus the seat is compactly stowed against the fuselage wall with little space between the seat and the Wall. To restore the seat to an operative position, it is only necessary to swing the seat downwardly about pivots |04 then to lift upwardly on the side of the seat which is attached to the leg unit, bringing the cuter leg unit back to the full line position, and to then r-aise the aisle leg unit to its operative position and attach it to the seat frame by means of bolts |04.

I claim:

1. In a reclining seat structure, a seat bottom, side frames secured to and extending upwardly from the respective sides of said seat bottom, each of said side frames having an upper generally horizontal member, a. seat back having a lower corner hingedly connected to a respective 10 side frame, and a combined arm rest and reclining mechanism comprising a shell of inverted channel shape including side wall members at least partially embracing said upper side frame member, said shell being pivotally connected at its rear extremity to said back frame, a pair of telescoping guide members one of which is attached at its respective ends to said shell and theother of which is attached at its forward end `to said upper side frame member, means yieldingly urging said telescoping members into telescoping relationand therebyurging said back frame forwardly with reference to said side frame, and a lever pivotally attached at its rear end to said first mentioned telescoping member and projecting forwardly from said arm rest at its forward end, said lever having in its intermediate portion, means cooperating with the connection between said other telescoping member and said upper side frame member to latch said arm rest in various positions of adjustment relative to said side frame member.

2. In a reclining seat structure, a seat bottom frame, a side frame attached to and extending y upwardly from a side of said seat bottom frame,

a reclining back frame having a lower corner pivotally connected to said side frame, said side frame having an upper, generally horizontal frame member, a combined arm rest and reclining mechanism including a shell portion of inverted channel shape having side walls at least partially embracing said upper side frame member, the rear extremity of said shell being pivotally connected to said back frame above the hinged connection of the latter to said side frame, a pair of telescoping links one of which has its rear extremity pivotally connected to said back frame and the other of which has its forward extremity pivotally connected to said upper side frame member, means yieldingly acting between said back frame and said side frame for urging the back frame forwardly, means providing a connection between a forward portion of said first mentioned telescoping link and said shell. for supporting the forward portion of said arm rest for movement in unison with said rst mentioned link, and a lever pivotally connected at its rear extremity to said first mentioned link and having its forward extremity projecting from said arm rest for engagement by an operator, and means providing a selective latching connection between i an intermediate portion of said lever and said upper side frame member in a series of selected positions of forward and rear adjustment of said back frame relative to said side frame.

3. A seat structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said yielding means comprises a coil spring having one end anchored to said rst mentioned telescoping link and having its other end anchored to said upper side frame member, said seat structure further including a pair of ears joined to and projecting upwardly from the respective sides of said upper side frame member, a cross pin supported between said ears, a flanged roller mounted on said cross pin, and having flanges embracing the respective sides of said lever, and a link connecting said cross pin to the forward end of said coil spring.

4. In a reclining seat structure, a seat bottom, a side frame secured to and extending upwardly from said seat bottom, said side frame having a generally horizontal upper frame member and a generally upright rear frame member, a reclining seat back having a lower corner hingedly connected to said rear frame member, a combined essai-5r.

l 1l arm rest and reclining mechanism nclnding an inverted channel shaped shell havingside walls at leastp'a-rtially embracing saidupperside fra-ine nember, a pair of telescoping links includingr an o'ut'er tubular rear link, a commonp'ilvotal connection between the rear extremity of saidrear link, the rear extremity of' said shell and said back frame upwardly of the hinged connection of the' latter to the side frame, apair' ofears extendingl upwardly from the respective sides of said ripper side frame member' and embracing the; forward end of the other of said telescoping links', a` cross pin extending betweensaid ears and throgh the forward end oi sa'i'd other link pro vidinfg a pivotal connection between the latter and said side frame, a lever pivotally connected at its fear end to an intermediate portion of said rear lix'il:v and extending forwardly and beyond the forward end ofl saidy shell for manipulation by an" oper'ato'r, said lever having a plurality of downwardly opening notches in its intermediate portion, said notches being spaced' longitudinally of the lever, and adapted to selectively receive said cross pin to determine a series of selective positions of adjustment between said arm rest E andi said side frame, and' a coil spring having. its forward end anchored to' said cross pin and its rear end anchored to a rearward portion or said rear link, exerting a forward pull against said afin fest and back frame.

5; A seat structure as defined in claim 4, in-h clud-ing a bracket mountedwithn said shell above I2 tire; forward extremity ofA said rear link.u said brackethaving a forwardlyopeni'ngrnoten there in,l an ear attached tol and extending upwardly from the forward' extremity' of said rear link, a pin mounted in said ear and received said notch for supporting the forward portion of said arm Yrest upon' thev forward eiitr'eniity of saidvrea link, and yielding' means under compression betweeny affrw'ard nor'tionl'of. sai-'d lever and. said shell,- urging saidleve'r downwardly t maintain the latch engagement thereof with said cross pin- GORDON KARLJONES;

References Cited inA the file of this patent.

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